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“Be gentle with her,” Chase said softly. “Keep her heart safe.”
I nodded. “I will.”
Chapter Eleven
Haley
With New Years’ Eve only three days away, our time at the cabin was quickly coming to a close. I loved visiting my family, but I was looking forward to being alone and uninterrupted with Theo when we finally returned home.
I woke late on Saturday morning to Theo’s broad body wrapped around me, his head tucked into my neck and shoulder. His grip tightened on me slightly.
“I hope you weren’t planning on moving today,” he mumbled. “You’re soft and warm and I’m not letting go.”
I laughed quietly. “We’ll need food eventually.”
“The human body can go three days without food.”
“As much as I love you, I’m not willing to put that to the test.”
Theo took a breath to speak when my phone pinged with a text message. I reached toward the window sill where it rested and checked the screen.
“Better not be a fucking dick pic,” he grumbled.
I chuckled. “Just a text from Chase.”
Breakfast is ready, ya filthy animals. Try not to stink like sex when you finally decide to show up. Children are present. And I don’t want to vomit into my waffles.
“He said breakfast is ready,” I said, not bothering to relay the rest of the message.
Theo hummed as he shifted over me, slotting his hips between my legs. He slipped his hands under my shirt, fingers sweeping teasing circles across my skin.
“I think I’ll have my breakfast in bed,” he replied.
His pale eyes locked with mine as he tugged my shorts down. Then he disappeared beneath the covers and I muffled my moan in my pillow.
***
Two weeks later
It felt so good to be back at the library, settling into the rhythm of a regular work schedule again. I’d missed the smiling faces of my regular patrons. Now that I had been home for a while, I’d already visited the local bookstore twice, stocking up on a fresh new set of romance novels to indulge in.
Since Theo and I were no longer snowed in with my entire family at the cabin, we discovered newfound freedom in our relationship. Some of my favorite paperbacks had migrated into his apartment, tucked onto his nightstand or on his coffee table by the couch. We went out for dinner without Chase cracking remarks about his little sister dating his best friend. And when Theo took me home, he always made a point to kiss me good-night, just like we’d practiced.
A cheer went up from the Children’s Room. Smiling to myself, I pushed away from the front desk and peeked through the door.
Two dozen children sat on the floor in a half circle, surrounding firefighter Lieutenant Jay Lawson as he perched on a chair in full firefighting gear. He held up a picture book while he read about a Dalmatian and his adventures on a fire truck.
I remembered being that little kid on the library floor once. Gazing up at Jay with big eyes, completely enamored as I listened to him read. I was so grateful that he continued the tradition every year of visiting the library and reading to the children.
“There’s my girl.”
Theo’s quiet voice at my ear made me turn in surprise.
“Hey! I didn’t know you were coming.”
I slid my arms around his neck, hugging him. The faint smell of pine trees and coffee clung to his clothes. When I pulled back, Theo held up a brown paper bag.
“I thought I’d have lunch with you, if you aren’t too busy.”
